7 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Accessibility in Your Online Course
- Alyssa Cole
- Apr 20
- 3 min read
Working toward accessibility standards can feel like a big lift. The good news is you do not need a full course redesign to start making meaningful progress.
A few small, intentional updates can make your content easier to use and more inclusive for all learners. And it is worth remembering that not everyone who needs accessible content will disclose their needs. Some learners may have temporary or situational challenges, while others may choose not to share at all. Designing with accessibility in mind helps ensure no one is left out.
If you are looking for practical steps you can take today, here are seven strong starting points:
1. Add accurate captions to videos
Captions support learners who are deaf or hard of hearing and anyone learning in sound-sensitive environments. Make sure captions are synchronized and accurately reflect what is spoken. Auto-generated captions can be a helpful starting point, but they should always be reviewed and corrected by a human for accuracy, punctuation, and speaker identification. When relevant, include meaningful non-speech elements like music or laughter so learners have full context.
2. Provide transcripts for audio and video
Transcripts give learners another way to access content and are especially helpful for those who prefer reading or use assistive technology. Ensure transcripts match the final version of the media, include speaker labels when needed, and are easy to locate. Offering transcripts alongside the content or as a downloadable resource can improve usability.
3. Use clear structure with proper headings
Organized content helps everyone navigate more easily, especially those using screen readers. Use true heading styles in a logical order rather than relying on visual formatting like bold or larger text. Well-structured content also includes properly formatted lists and clearly labeled sections. For documents like PDFs, ensure they are tagged correctly so the structure is preserved for assistive technologies.
4. Check color contrast and visual clarity
Text should have sufficient contrast against its background so it is readable in a variety of conditions, including on mobile devices or in bright environments. Avoid using color alone to convey meaning, such as indicating correct answers only in green. Pair color with text labels or icons to ensure clarity. Also consider font size, spacing, and overall layout to support readability.
5. Test keyboard navigation
Many learners rely on a keyboard instead of a mouse to navigate content. Try moving through your course using only the keyboard to confirm that all interactive elements, links, and navigation controls are accessible. Pay attention to whether the focus indicator is visible and whether the navigation order is logical and predictable.
6. Use real text instead of text in images
Text embedded in images cannot be read by assistive technologies or adjusted by the learner. Whenever possible, use real, selectable text so it can be resized, translated, or interpreted by screen readers. If images must include text, provide clear alternative text that conveys the same information or ensure the content is repeated in surrounding text.
7. Review AI-generated content for accessibility
AI tools can speed up content creation, but they do not guarantee accessible outputs. AI-generated materials may include missing headings, unclear structure, inaccessible tables, or vague link text. Take time to review and refine content to ensure it is clear, well-structured, and usable for a wide range of learners before publishing.
Accessibility is not just about compliance, although we all understand the importance of it through this lens. Accessibility is about creating learning experiences that work for more people in more situations, including those who may never formally request support. Small changes like these can make a meaningful difference right away.
Download a copy of our Accessibility Readiness Checklist/Self-Assessment to evaluate how accessible your learning programs are currently:
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Helpful Resources:
WCAG Accessibility Guidelines: https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/
Recommended Action Steps from WCAG:
View Latest Accessibility Standards:
ADA Accessibility Requirements:
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